Vol. 441 No. 3
35 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the future plans, if any, he has for the support of cancer research; if such plans are intended to complement the work of the Irish Cancer Society; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Research into issues such as cancer is primarily a matter for the Health Research Board and that body is at present supporting a number of research projects in this area. The board considers research proposals on an annual basis and I understand that a substantial number of the proposals under consideration for the 1994 allocation of funding by the board relate to cancer research. I should point out that in this year's Estimates I have increased the allocation to the HRB by 30 per cent.
The board is at present co-sponsoring a research unit in conjunction with the Irish Cancer Society. This unit is carrying out research into leukaemia and aplastic anaemia.
Deputies may also wish to note that the National Cancer Registry Board has commenced full national cancer registration with effect from 1 January of this year. In time, the information assembled on the incidence and prevalence of cancer will be extremely useful to researchers in this field.
